Window operating device



June 28. 1966 BEDARD 3,257,757

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d m 8V, B m M. M n M a w m M N M 7% u 4 9 fl w w w m United States Patent 3,257,757 WINDOW OPERATING DEVICE Norman M. Bedard, 2120 SW. 83rd Ave, Miami, Fla. Filed Feb. 26, 1964, Ser. No. 347,441 14 Claims. (Cl. 49-357) This invention relates to operating apparatus for window closure devices or the like.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an operating system for opening and closing multiple window units or similar closure devices in building installations. The system is particularly desirable in that it eliminates the use of gears and linkages to thereby reduce maintenance and repair costs. The system therefore is of the vacuum pressure type and includes remote I control facilities so that the window closure units widely dispersed throughout a building, may be operated from one or more control stations.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device for a closure operating system through which vacuum pressure is routed for control purposes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a remote control system whereby a plurality of closure operating motors of the vacuum fluid type may be controlled through push-button control devices through which vacuum pressure and atmospheric pressure are selectively supplied to the fluid motors for reversible operation thereof in order to open or close the closure devices associated with respective fluid motors.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the ac companying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a simplified schematic illustration of a remote control operating assembly for closure window devices.

FIGURE 2 is a schematic illustration of a remote control system made in accordance with the present invent1on.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of one of the remote control units used in the closure operating system of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view through the remote control unit taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 44 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 are longitudinal sectional views taken respectively through planes indicated by section lines 5-5 6-6 and 7-7 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURES 8 and 9, are transverse sectional views taken respectively through section lines 8-8 and 9-9 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a control unit in one of its actuated conditions.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a control unit in another of its actuated conditions.

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of an actuator member associated with each control unit.

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of another actuator member associated with each control unit.

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view through a fluid operating motor.

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of the connecting link element between the fluid motor and the closure device.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGURE 1, it will be observed that the apparatus of the present invention maybe used to operate a plurality of window closure devices 10 which may be of a comclosed by pivotal displacement of an operating arm 12.

The operating arm is therefore provided with a slidable bearing member 14 as more clearly illustrated in FIG URE 15, the sliding bearing member being pivotally connected to a fluid motor.16 of the vacuum pressure type. The fluid motor 16 is controlled by a supply of vacuum pressure and atmospheric pressure thereto through a pair of outlet conduits 18 and 20. The outlet conduit 18 may therefore be connected for example to the inlet passage 22 at one end of the cylinder 24 of the fluid motor 16 while the outlet passage 20 is connected to the inlet passage 26 extending to the opposite axial end of the cylinder 24. The fluid motor is therefore provided with a piston element 28 to which the piston rod 30 is connected, the piston rod being pivotally connected to the slide bearing member 14 aforementioned. Vacuum pressure supplied by conduit 18 to the chamber 32 on one side of the piston 28 as seen in FIGURE 14, will therefore produce opening movement of the piston when atmospheric pressure is simultaneously supplied to the chamber 34 on the opposite side of the piston. When the outlet conduits 18 and 20 are reversed as to the supply of vacuum and atmospheric pressure, closing movement of the piston 28 will be induced by establishment of vacuum pressure in chamber 34 simultaneously with the establishment of atmospheric pressure in chamber 32. On the other hand, the closure device may be held in any position between a fully closed and a fully opened position, by means of the fluid motor when the outlet conduits 18 and 20 are sealed. The closure operating system is therefore provided with a suction generating pump 36 and a vacuum pressure storage tank 38 within which a reserve supply of vacuum pressure may be maintained for permitting the system to operate for a period of time even after stoppage of the suction pump 36. The vacuum pressure storage tank 38 therefore constitutes a source of vacuum connected by the conduit 40 to a remote control unit 42 through which the vacuum pressure is selectively routed for supply to either the outlet conduit 18 or the outlet conduit 20. When supplying one of the outlet conduits with vacuum pressure, the other outlet conduit will be vented so that it will conduct atmospheric pressure to the fluid motor with which the control unit is associated.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 through 9, it will be observed that the remote control unit 42 includes a valve body 44 to which one side 46 all of the conduits are connected including the outlet conduits 18, 2t) and the vacuum supply conduit 40. The valve body is provided with a pair of parallel spaced valve chambers 48 and 50 which are spaced from the side 46 and extend toward the oppo-- site side. The valve chambers are non-circular in crosssection and in the illustrated embodiment, rectangular. The valve chambers are open at the side 52 of the valve body which is provided with arcuate recesses 54 and 56 which extend laterally from the valve chambers. Secured to the side 52 of the valve body by a screw fastener element 58, is a cover plate member 60 the opposite longitudinal ends of which are provided with apertures 62 through which the control unit may be mounted on any suitable supporting surface. The cover plate is provided intermediate the longitudinal ends thereof, with raised portions 64 and 66 through which circular openings 68 and 70 are formed in alignment with the arcuate recesses 54 and 56 and in axially offset relation to the valve chambers 48 and 50 in the valve body. The circular openings 68 and 70 are therefore adapted to slidably receive the manual actuator button portions 72 and 74 of a pair of control members 76 and 78 associated with the control unit.

With continued reference to FIGURES through 7 and FIGURES 12 and 13, it will be observed that the control member 76 may be suitably labeled on its actuator button portion 72 to indicate its function of causing the associated closure device to be opened when the button portion is depressed. The control member 76 is therefore biased to one position by the spring element 80 seated on the bottom wall of the valve chamber 48 and received within a recess 82 in the bottom of the rectangular valve portion 84 of the control member. The button portion 72 being connected to the portion 84 in axially offset relation thereto, forms a limit shoulder surface 86 that abuts the cover plate 60 in the limit position to which the actuator member 76 is biased by the spring 80. The circular button portion 72 is connected to the portion 84 by a connecting portion 88 so as to form a limit shoulder surface 90 engageable with the valve body within the recess 54 so as to limit movement of the control member into the valve body against the bias of the spring 80. It will therefore be apparent, that the control member may be manually displaced against the bias of the spring 80 from the position illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 7. Alternatively, the control member may be slidably displaced against the bias of the spring 80 by vacuum pressure supplied to the end of the valve chamber 48 through passage 92 to which a conduit may be connected by the fitting 94 as shown in FIGURE 6. Accordingly, the end of the valve chamber 48 to which vacuum pressure may be supplied, is sealed by means of an O-ring seal 96 received Within a perimetral groove 98 formed in the portion 84 of the control valve member 76. The valve portion 84 of the valve member is provided with a pair of straight passages 100 and 102 extending between opposite sides 104 and 106 of the valve portion 84. A pair of spaced right angle passages 108 and 110 are also provided in the valve portion 84, passage 108 extending from the side 104 to the side 112 while the passage 110 extends from the side 104 to the side 114. The valve actuator member 78 is similar in construction and operation to the valve member 76 and hence includes a rectangular valve portion 116 connected to the actuator button portion 74 which is labeled in accordance with the function of the valve member 78 in causing the closure device to be closed when the button portion is depressed against the bias of the spring element 118 associated with the valve member 78. Accordingly, the valve chamber 50 is also associated with a fitting 120 through which vacuum pressure may be supplied to the end of the valve chamber for alternatively causing actuation of the valve member against the bias of the spring 118 as described in connection with the valve member 76. The valve member 78 is also provided with the limit shoulder formations engaging the cover lid 60 and the valve body at the limit positions of the valve member. Also, the portion 116 of the valve member is provided with a groove 122 within which an O-ring seal 124 is seated. However, the valve portion 116 of the valve member 78 is only provided with a single pair of straight passages 126 and 128 extending between the opposite sides 130 and 132 of the valve portion. The straight passages 126 and 128 are however not aligned with the straight passages 100 and 102 associated with the valve member 76.

As more clearly seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, the valve body 44 is provided with a vacuum inlet passage 134 adapted to be connected to the vacuum supply conduit 40. The inlet passage 134 is connected to both of the valve chambers 48 and 50 by branches 136 and 138. O-ring seals 140 and 142 are therefore provided at the vacuum inlet ports to which the branches 136 and 138 are connected. The chamber 48 alone is connected to a pair of outlet passages 144 and 146 through outlet ports also provided with O-ring seals. The outlet passages 144 and 146 extend to the side 46 of the valve body so that they may be connected to the outlet conduits l8 and 20. Further, the valve body is provided with a pair of connecting passages 148 and 150 which interconnect the valve chambers 48 and 50, these connecting passages being provided at opposite ends with ports sealed by O-rings which open into the valve chambers. The valve chambers 48 and 50 are also respectively connected to vent inlet passages 154 and 152 through ports sealed by O-rings as shown in FIG- URES 7 and 8.

In the inactive positions of the valve members 76 and 78 illustrated in FIGURES 4 through 9, the outlet passage 144 will be blocked by the valve member 76 from the vacuum inlet branch 136 since the passage 110 will not be aligned therewith. Although the outlet passage 144 in this position of the valve member 76 is aligned with the passage 102 and the connecting passage 148, it will be blocked from the vent inlet passage 152 by the valve member 78. The outlet passage 146 will also be blocked by the valve member 76 from the inlet vent passage 154 since the passage 108 will not be aligned therebetween. Although the outlet passage 146 is aligned with the passage 100 and connecting passage 150, it will be blocked from the vacuum inlet branch 138 by the valve member 78. Accordingly, the outlet passages 144 and 146 will be blocked from both vacuum and atmospheric pressure in order to seal the fluid motor 16 to which the control unit is connected and hold the closure device in its adjusted position.

When the valve member 76 is actuated by depressing the button portion 72 thereof as illustrated in FIGURE 10, opening movement will be imparted to the fluid motor piston 28 by supplying vacuum pressure to the outlet conduit 18 and atmospheric pressure to the outlet conduit 20 through the control unit. In the actuated condition of the valve member 76 as shown in FIGURE 10, the outlet passage 144 will be aligned with the valve member passage 110 so as to establish fluid communication with the vacuum inlet branch 136. The valve member passage 108 on the other hand will then be aligned with the outlet passage 146 so as to establish fluid communication between the outlet passage 146 and the vent inlet passage 154. On the other hand, actuation of the valve member 73 by depression of the button portion 74 thereof will reverse the supply of vacuum and atmospheric pressure to the outlet conduits 18 and 20. Accordingly, when the valve member 78 is actuated as illustrated in FIGURE 11, the valve member passage 126 establishes fluid communication between the vacuum inlet branch 138 and the outlet passage 146 through the connecting passage 150 in the valve body and the aligned passage 100 in the valve member 76. At the same time, the valve member passage 128 in the valve member 78 establishes fluid communication between the vent passage 152 and the outlet passage 144 through the connecting passage 148 and the passage 102 in the valve member 76. Control over the fluid motor and the closure device connected thereto is therefore exercised by depression of the open or close button portions of the valve members in the control unit 42. It will be apparent that actuation of either of the valve members may be accomplished by supply of vacuum pressure to the valve chambers in the valve body as aforementioned.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, it will be observed that the control system may be applied to a plurality of window closure banks 156 and 158, each window bank being provided with a plurality of fluid motors 16 to which the outlet conduits 18 and 20 are connected in parallel. Accordingly, each bank of windows will have its own control unit as for example the control units 42 and 42 respectively serving the window banks 156 and 158. The control unit 42 will therefore also be provided with a pair of outlet conduits 18' and 20' connected in parallel to the respective fluid motors 16' for operation thereof in the same manner as hereinbefore described. Each of the control units will therefore be connected in parallel to the vacuum pressure supply line 40 extending from the vacuum storage tank 38. The control units 42 and 42 may therefore be located at a control station remote from the banks of multiple window closure devices. Each bank of multiple window units may therefore be separately control-led by one of the control units 42 or 42. Should it be desired however to simultaneously operate all of the banks of window units, this may be accomplished through a master control unit 160 which is identic-a1 in construction and operation to the control unit 42 hereinbefore described. The master control unit =160 is therefore connected by the branch 162 to the vacuum pressure supply line 40 and is provided with a pair of outlet actuating conduits 164 and 166 alternatively supplied with vacuum or atmospheric pressure as described in connection with the outlet conduits 18 and 20 associated with the control unit 42. The outlet conduit 164 is however connected in parallel to the fittings 92 associated with each of the control units 42 and 42 so that when the outlet conduit 164 is supplied with vacuum pressure, the closure opening valve members 76 of each of the control units will be simultaneously actuated in an alternative manner as hereinbefore indicated. On the other hand,'when vacuum pressure is routed by the master control unit to the outlet conduit 166, the closure closing valve members 78 will be actuated inasmuch as the outlet conduit 166 is connected in parallel to the fittings 120 of the control units in order to apply vacuum pressure to the valve chambers 50 therein. Therefore, simultaneous opening and closing of all "of the window units may be accomplished by actuation of the opening and closing valve members associated with the master control unit 160.

From the foregoing description, the construction, installation, operation and utility of the apparatus of the present invention will be apparent. It will therefore be appreciated, that the system of the present invention permits remote control of a large number of window closure devices by use of vacuum pressure controlla'bly routed thereto with atmospheric pressure at a control station. Operation with a minimum amount of installation, repair and maintenance is achieved by use of a novel control unit construction through which the fluid motors are supplied with the vacuum pressure, vented and sealed.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ,of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a vacuum operated fluid motor and a source of vacuum, a remote control device comprising, a valve body having a pair of valve chambers, a pair of outlet ports connected to one of said valve chambers, an inlet passage connected to both of said valve chambers and a separate connecting passage interconnecting said valve chambers independently of the inlet passage, conduit means connecting said outlet ports to the fluid motor and said inlet passage to said source of vacuum, a pair of valve members mova'bly mounted in said valve chambers respectively, means biasing said valve members to first positions within the valve chambers blocking the inlet passage from one of said valve chambers and connecting the connecting passage to one of said outlet ports, passage means in both of said valve members for establishing fluid communication between the inlet passage and the other of said outlet ports through said connecting pass-age in response to actuation of one of said valve members to a second position against the bias of said biasing means, and flow reversing means in the other of said valve members for switching'the connection of the inlet passage from said one of the outlet ports to the other of the outlet ports in response to actu- 'ation of said other of the valve members to a second posi tion against the bias of said biasing means.

2. The combination of claim 1 including vent passage means extending through the valve body and connected to said valve chambers for selectively venting either one of said outlet ports in response to actuation of said valve members.

3. The combination of claim 2 including vacuum supply means connected to said valve chambers for selectively actuating one of said valve members.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein each of said valve members comprises, a cross-sectionally non-circular portion slidably mounted in one of the valve chambers, a manual actuator portion projecting from the valve body in axial offset relation to the non-circular portion and a connecting portion defining axially spaced limit shoulders between the actuator and non-circular portions, said valve body being provided with bores axially olfset from the valve chambers for receiving the actuator portions of the valve members and engage the limit shoulders thereon in the first and second positions thereof, each of the noncircular portions of the valve members being provided with said passage means in different axial positions for alignment with the connecting passage in the valve body.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein each of said valve members comprises, a cross-sectionally non-circular portion slidably mounted in one of the valve chambers, a manual actuator portion projecting from the valve body in axial offset relation to the non-circular portion and a connecting portion defining axially spaced limit shoulders between the actuator and non-circular portions, said valve body being provided with bores axially offset from the valve chambers for receiving the actuator portions of the valve members and engage the limit shoulders thereon in the first and second positions thereof, each of the non-circular portions of the valve members being pro 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein each of said.

valve members comprises, a cross-sectionally non-circular portion slidably mounted in one of the valve chambers, a manual actuator portion projecting from the valve body in axial offset relation to the non-circular portion and a connecting portion defining axially spaced limit shoulders between the actuator and non-circular portions, said valve body being provided with bores axially offset from the valve chambers for receiving the actuator portions of the valve members and engage the limit shoulders thereon in the first and second positions thereof, each of the non-circular portions of the valve members being provided with said passage means in different axial positions for alignment with the connecting passage in the valve body.

9. A remote control system for operating a plurality of closure devices comprising, vacuum operated motors connected to said closure devices for opening and closing same, a source of vacuum, a plurality of actuator units connected to said source of vacuum, a pair of outlet conduits interconnecting each of the actuator units to one of the vacuum operated motors, each of the actuator units including a closure opening control member and a closure closing control member, biasing means holding said control members in positions sealing the pair of outlet conduits for holding the closure device in a closed or open position, passage means for selectively connecting the source of vacuum to one of the outlet conduits and venting the other outlet conduit in response to predetermined movement of one of the control members in order to move the closure device to an open or closed position, and vacuum responsive means for optionally actuating said control members.

10. The combination of claim 9 including a master control unit connected to said source of vacuum and a pair of actuating conduits connecting said master control unit in parallel to the vacuum responsive means of all of the actuator units, said master control unit including selective control means operable to alternatively connect the actuating conduits to the source of vacuum for operating all of the actuator units simultaneously.

11. In a fluid pressure control system, a control device comprising, a valve body having a pair of valve chambers, apair of outlet ports connected to one of said valve chambers, an inlet passage connected to both of said valve chambers and a separate connecting passage interconnecting said valve chambers, a pair of valve members movably mounted in said valve chambers respectively, means biasing said valve members to first positions within the valve chambers blocking the inlet passage from one of said valve chambers and connecting the connecting passage to one of said outlet ports, passage means in both of said valve members for establishing fluid communication between the inlet passage and the other of said outlet ports through said connecting passage in response to actuation of one of said valve members to a second position against the bias of said biasing means, and flow reversing means in the other of said valve members for switching the connection of the inlet passage from said one of the outlet ports to the other of the outlet ports in response to actuation of said other of the valve members to a second position against the bias of said biasing means.

12. The combination of claim 11 including pressure supply means connected to said valve chambers for selectively actuating one of said valve members.

13. The combination of claim 11 wherein each of said valve members comprises, a cross-sectionally non-circular portion slidably mounted in one of the valve chambers, a manual actuator portion projecting from the valve body in axial offset relation to the non-circular portion and a connection portion defining axially spaced limit shoulders between the actuator and non-circular portions, said valve body being provided with bores axially offset from the valve chambers for receiving the actuator portions of the valve members and engage the limit shoulders thereon in the first and second positions thereof, each of the non-circular portions of the valve members being provided with said passage means in different axial positions for alignment with the connecting passage in the valve body.

14. The combination of claim 11 including vent passage means extending through the valve body and connected to said valve chambers for selectively venting either one of said outlet ports in response to actuation of said valve members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,234,426 3/1941 Cooley 268125 X 2,902,004 9/1959 Zarnack 52 3,026,676 3/1962 VVenzel et al. 6052 3,075,356 l/l963 Fiala et a1 26820 X 3,103,368 9/1963 Erickson 6052 X CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

J. K. BELL, Assistant Examiner. 

9. A REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A PLURALITY OF CLOSURE DEVICES COMPRISING, VACUUM OPERATED MOTORS CONNECTED TO SAID CLOSURE DEVICES FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SAME, A SOURCE OF VACUUM, A PLURALITY OF ACTUATOR UNITS CONNECTED TO SAID SOURCE OF VACUUM, A PAIR OF OUTLET CONDUITS INTERCONNECTING EACH OF THE ACTUATOR UNITS TO ONE OF THE VACUUM OPERATED MOTORS, EACH OF THE ACTUATOR UNITS INCLUDING A CLOSURE OPENING CONTROL MEMBER AND A CLOSURE CLOSING CONTROL MEMBER, BIASING MEANS HOLDING SAID CONTROL MEMBERS IN POSITIONS SEALING THE PAIR OF OUTLET CONDUITS FOR HOLDING THE CLOSURE DEVICE IN A CLOSED OR OPEN POSITION, PASSAGE MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CONNECTING THE SOURCE OF VACUUM TO ONE OF THE OUTLET CONDUITS AND VENTING THE OTHER OUTLET CONDUIT IN RESPONSE TO PREDETERMINED MOVEMENT OF ONE OF THE CONTROL MEMBERS IN ORDER TO MOVE THE CLOSURE DEVICE TO AN OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION, AND VACUUM RESPONSIVE MEANS FOR OPTIONALLY ACTUATING SAID CONTROL MEMBERS. 